After being forced to eat in a no-go zone, we finally started making our way to where Aaron said the true fun would begin. I had to admit, I was excited as hell, and my tumbling stomach was the proof. I knew it wasn’t going to be anything fancy, seeing has how Aaron told me to dress in shorts, a T-shirt, and sneakers.
Aaron got on the highway and headed north. “Um . . . are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
Shaking his head, Aaron laughed. Not just a simple, nah I’m not going to let you in on my secret, laugh, but more like a I’ve got an evil plan up my sleeve kind of laugh.
Rolling my eyes, I shrugged my shoulders in an attempt to make it seem like I didn’t care Aaron was keeping me in the dark. Secretly it was killing me. Killing me!
Then it happened. Aaron pulled into the iFly parking lot . . . and parked. Oh hell no. He is crazy insane if he thinks I’m going to partake in this.
I was about to ask him if he was lost when I saw Em come running up to the truck flailing her arms about in a crazy manner. Aaron threw his door open and jumped out of the truck.
Opening the door to the truck, I got out and made my way around to the front where Em ran past me and into Aaron’s arms.
“Yes!” Em said as she hugged Aaron. “Oh my gosh, I’m so excited. This time I’m going to try for six somersaults in a row without throwing up!”
Covering my mouth in an attempt not to start gagging, I glanced over to poor Zach, who had a horrified look on his face. Turning to me, he mouthed, help me.
Giggling, I shook my head and made my way over to the brother and sister freak show. Placing my hands on my hips, I cleared my throat. Aaron and Em turned and looked between Zach and me.
Em smiled from ear to ear. “What’s wrong? You both look like Debbie downers!”
Zach let out a nervous chuckle. “Um . . . Em . . . I’m kind of . . . well . . . I mean . . . I’m um. Well how do I say this?”
“Jesus, son, spit it the hell out,” Aaron said.
Em hit Aaron on the chest. “Stop it, Aaron.” Turning back to Zach, Em gave him her full attention. “Baby, what’s wrong?”
“He’s afraid of heights . . . like me. If you think for one moment we’re going to strap on some stupid looking flying gear and fly around in a tube made for giant rats . . . you’re both insane.”
Zach looked at me and said, “How did you know I was afraid of heights?”
“When fear looks fear in the eyes and begs for help . . . it’s clear. You’re afraid of heights.”
Aaron laughed as he waved both Zach and me off. “Nonsense. Y’all are going to have a blast. You asked for an adventure, baby.” Aaron pointed to the iFly building. “Here it is.”
“Do you want me walking down your parents’ steps in a cast Saturday? Do you?” I said as I jetted out my lower lip in a serious pout, hoping it would tug on Aaron’s heart.
Rolling his eyes, he grabbed my hand and dragged me into the building. For one brief moment I thought about throwing myself to the ground, but I thought better.
After getting signed up, going through our ‘skydiving class,’ we were given our flying gear. Slipping it on, I kept glancing around the room. Em and Aaron were already flying high, and I suspected they came here often. Zach looked like he was ready to crawl into the corner and start rocking back and forth. And me . . . I felt like I was looking into the next twelve hours of my life. Sitting in the ER waiting for either an arm or a leg to be put in a cast.
“I’ll never get to see my wedding,” I mumbled under my breath as Aaron and Em high fived each other and made their way to the giant rat tube.
The second I saw the people in the tube, I felt sick. “Oh hell the fuck no!” I said as everyone turned and looked at me.
“Sierra!” Em said with her eyes about bulging out of her head.
My fearless fiancé who vowed never to let me be hurt laughed his ass off. The instructor smiled and looked at us. “All right, looks like once this party is over, it’s just us!”
Em started jumping up and down as Aaron fist pumped. Who was this man? Maybe it was good I was seeing this side of him before I married him.
The instructor turned and looked at me as if waiting for my response. “Oh yay!” I mumbled as I looked at Zach, who I’m pretty sure was reciting the Our Father prayer.
“Who wants to go first?” the instructor asked. Em and Aaron pushed each other out of the way as I shook my head in disgust.
Zach moved closer to me and whispered, “If they go first, we can make a run for it.”
Pursing my lips, I thought about Zach’s suggestion for a few seconds. “They’ll just come after us. Besides, I don’t think I could run in this jumpsuit if you paid me.”
“Damn. It feels like it’s cutting off my balls,” Zach said as he picked up his leg and shook it. Staring at him, I slowly shook my head and rolled my eyes.
Men.
After calming down Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the instructor informed them I was going first. Glaring at him as he smiled at me, I silently put a curse on the instructor and wished like hell I knew how to build one of those stupid voodoo dolls.
Nodding my head, I slapped my hands together and said, “All right. I got this!”
Aaron and Em cheered me on as Zach quickly wished the best for me. Bastard.
The instructor stepped in first and stood on what I swear looked like chicken wire. Pointing to it, I shouted, “Will that hold me if I fall?”
Nodding, he said, “You won’t fall though.”
Pulling me out, I did as they taught us and put my hands out. I felt like freaking Superman as I hovered over giant machines. The force of wind was so strong I was pretty sure I could go through my entire life never feeling the strength of it ever again. Gripping onto the instructor, he tried to get me to let go.
Oh hell no. I’m an educated woman. I’m not stupid!
“Let go!” he mouthed, since it was so damn loud I couldn’t even hear my own screaming voices in my head.
Shaking my head, I held on tighter.
He mouthed, “You’ve got to let go!”
Sticking my tongue out at the instructor, only because I didn’t dare let go and give him the finger, I shouted, “No, I don’t!” But I’m pretty sure he didn’t hear me.
After a few minutes, the instructor realized this was not going to happen, we finally moved out of the giant rat tube, and I was back with my feet on the ground.
Glancing over to Zach, I pointed and said, “Do you love Em?”
He nodded and looked over to where Em and Aaron were currently making their game plan. Turning back to me, he took in a deep breath and walked to the tube. Not before letting out a whimper.
“Suck it up! You’re a damn UT football player, dude. This is embarrassing,” I said as I looked at him.
His eyes widened as he said, “Right. Right. I just need to get my head in the game.”
Slowly moving to the rat tube, poor Zach cursed under his breath and jumped.
Once his adventure was over, he slowly made his way over to me and sat down on the bench. Pulling off the helmet, he dropped it to the floor. “That was the scariest thing I’ve ever encountered in my entire life.”
Nodding my head, I watched as Aaron and Em ran into the tube and went all the way to the top.
Letting out a long sigh, I gave Zach a pat on the back. “To think she’s the adventurous one of the two.”
Zach turned me with a deadpan stare. “I see zip-lining in your future, dude.”
Closing his eyes, Zach let a moan slip from between his lips followed by a fuck. Smiling, I made a mental note to suggest zip-lining to Em for Zach’s birthday.
STANDING ON THE BACK PORCH, I slowly drank my coffee as I looked out over the Texas hill country. Smiling, I thought back to some memories of Em and I running all over this place when we were kids. My parents owned twenty-five acres along Barton Creek, and I couldn’t be happier knowing today I was going to marry Sierra at one of my favorite spots.
/> Smiling, I chuckled to myself as I thought about waking up this morning and feeling like I was on cloud nine. My mother had insisted Sierra and I not see each other after the rehearsal dinner last night. Letting her have her way, I spent the evening with my dad, Lark, and Tristan. We played poker until three in the morning when my father finally wiped us all out of money.
Hearing the back door open, I glanced over my shoulder to see Lark coming out. Lark and I had really gotten to know each other when I went to South Padre Island. Tristan had invited his and Ryn’s close friends to take part in when he asked Ryn to marry him. Some might say our group of friends is a bit strange, but we make it work.
Lark gave me a wink and sat down. “Nervous?”
“Nope,” I said with a smile.
“Liar.”
Laughing, I sat down next to Lark. “Honestly, I’m not nervous. I love Sierra and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I’m ready for this.”
Lark nodded his head. “I meant are you nervous you’re going to call her by another girl’s name when you take your vows, or maybe trip and break your leg before y’all go off on your honeymoon.”
Slowly turning my head, my mouth gaped open as I stared at Lark. “W-what?”
Shrugging his shoulders he said, “You know . . . nervous that in some way you’re gonna fuck this special day up for her and years from now she still be reminding you of how you ruined her one special day.” Winking at me, he said, “I so could see Sierra bringing that shit up all the time.”
Swallowing hard, I pulled my head back then let out a nervous laugh. “Why . . . I mean . . . an old girlfriend’s name? Why would you even plant that in my head, for Christ’s sake?”
Tossing his head back and laughing, Lark said, “To fuck with you. Why else?”
Tristan came walking out yawning as he pulled up a seat next me. “So you’re the last to tie the knot. How’s it feel? Scared? Nervous you’re gonna say another girl’s name?”
Jumping up, I spun around glared at the both of them. Looking between both, I pointed my finger. “You bastards! You did that on purpose. There is no way in hell I’d ever say another women’s name. I love, Sierra. She is the love of my life.”
Tristan looked over to Lark and said, “Holy shit. He’s cracking before the day is even started.”
Lark smirked and nodded his head. Looking back to Tristan, I asked, “You didn’t plan it with him to ask me that?”
Tristan wore a confused as hell look on his face as he shook his head and said, “Um . . . no. You feeling okay there, buddy? I mean I know we all get a little nervous and all, but you seem to be on edge.”
Rolling my eyes and letting out a sigh, I turned and sat back down. “I’m not nervous. Or at least I wasn’t nervous until dickhead here had to say something about me bringing up an old girlfriend’s name at the wedding.” Pointing to Tristan, I said, “Then you came out and said damn near the same thing.”
Tristan chuckled. “Dude, it happens to the best of us.”
Turning to Tristan, I said, “It didn’t happen to you.” Glancing back at Lark, I asked, “Did it happen to you?”
Lark looked like he was offended. “Fuck no, I didn’t call her by another girl’s name. How dare you accuse me of that, you asshole.”
“Hey! You just accused me of doing it, dickhead,” I said as I punched Lark in the arm.
“All right, boys, settle down,” my mother said as she walked out and smacked me on the head. Rubbing my hand on the back of my head, I glared at Lark who smirked and gave me the finger.
“Real mature,” I said as my mother cleared her throat.
“Boys, I need you to get your game faces on. The wedding is in a few hours, and we still have a number of things to take care of.”
Lark stood up and said, “We will take care of everything, Mrs. Walker. Don’t you worry that pretty little head of yours.”
My mother blushed and brushed Lark off with her hand. “Oh, you sweet talker, you. You take care of that pregnant wife of yours.”
Smiling, Lark said, “Yes, ma’am, you know I will.”
Dropping my mouth open, I watched as Lark headed back into the house. Tristan stood up and said, “Maybe we should start with getting all the chairs out on the lawn and everything?”
Clapping her hand, my mother said, “Yes! Oh, Tristan, we would be lost without you this weekend.”
I was pretty sure my mouth was now dragging the ground. Patting my mother sweetly on the arm, Tristan headed into the house as I watched him walk away with a shit-eating grin on his face.
Those bastards. They managed to infiltrate my mother!
Turning back to her, I was about to start talking when she held up her hand. “Let’s go for a walk. I want to spend some bonding time together.”
Smiling, I held my arm out as my mother took it and began walking alongside me.
“Bonding time, huh?” I asked as I raised my eyebrow at her.
Looking straight ahead, my mother inhaled through her nose and let out a contented sigh. “I’ve always loved our walks, Aaron. Do you remember the walk we took before you graduated high school?”
Nodding my head, I let out a small chuckle. “Of course I do. I remember all of our walks, Mom.”
“Do you remember what you said to me about when you found someone to love forever?”
Frowning, I thought back to that conversation. Letting out a laugh, I said, “I must have forgotten that part of the conversation.”
Glancing at me, my mother stared at me through her eyelashes. “Uh-huh. Well let me refresh your memory, son.” We walked for a bit in silence as we made our way to the creek. Stopping at a bench, my mother motioned for me to sit down.
“You told me you were never going to get married.”
Laughing, I shook my head. “I do remember that.”
Smiling, she looked into my eyes. “Of course, at the time I knew that wasn’t a true statement. I knew your heart was like mine, guarded and locked up tight waiting for that one person to come along and unlock it.”
“I waited a long time, Mom,” I said as my voice faltered.
Placing her hand on the side of my face, she nodded. “I know you did. The wait was worth it though, was it not?”
Thinking back to the first time I ever saw Sierra, I knew then she was different from any other girl I had ever known. I fought the instant feelings rushing through my body, but even then, I knew deep down she was more. “Very much worth the wait.” Taking in a breath, I slowly blew it out. “Mom, may I ask you something?”
Looking back over the creek, my mother whispered, “Always.”
Taking in a shallow breath, I asked the question I’d been longing to know. “Were you afraid when you were diagnosed with cancer?”
Still staring straight ahead, my mother smiled slightly. “Terrified. But then your father took my face in his hands and looked deep into my soul and said we would fight it together. In that moment, I knew I would win because I had your father’s love behind me. Love is a powerful tool, Aaron. It can be used in a good way or a bad way. Like for instance your father strong arming you back into his practice.”
Letting out a gruff laugh, I said, “Yeah, that’s for sure. But I don’t regret it at all, Mom. I’ve never been happier in my life. I’m glad Dad did what he did. I know deep down inside why he was doing it. Had he not done it, I might not be marrying Sierra today.”
“That’s true!” my mother said with a smile. “Are you nervous, Aaron?”
My body slumped and I shook my head. “No! Why does everyone keep asking me that?” Sitting up, I felt my heart rate increase at just the thought of making Sierra my wife. “I’m beyond thrilled. To know I’m going to be spending the rest of my life with the woman I love . . . it makes my heart feel like it could explode. Sierra is the reason for my very being.”
Wiping a tear from her eye, my mother wrapped her arm around my waist. “To hear you speak such words just fills my heart with joy. Next it will be
grandchildren.”
I let out a laugh and then stopped when my heart fell to the ground and my mouth went instantly dry. What in the hell? Grandchildren.
“Um. Grandchildren? Let us first get married, Mom.”
Resting her head on my shoulder, my mother sighed in contentment as we both sat there in silence and stared out over the creek.
The morning had been spent setting everything up. People were coming and going as chairs were set up. A giant tent was put up with one half of the tent filled with beautifully decorated tables and chairs, and the other half a make-shift dance floor.
Jesus, if this was just for family and close friends, I couldn’t imagine what a wedding with two hundred or more people would be like. We were doing good with the eighty people we had.
Looking across the living room, I saw Sierra’s father. Walking up to him, I remembered Sierra telling me about her dad’s early days working for the Italian mob. Stopping just shy of him, I stuck my hand out.
“Paul, did you get a good sleep last night?” I asked as Sierra’s father glared at me.
Oh for Christ’s sake. That’s the best I could do? I’m fixin’ to marry his daughter and I asked if he got enough sleep.
Nodding his head slowly, he said, “I did. Thank you, Aaron. What about you?”
“Yes, sir. Played poker with my buddies and my father. He took us to the cleaners.”
Paul attempted to hide his smile but failed. “Is that so? You like to play poker?”
Oh shit. Was this a trick question? I still hadn’t learned how to read Sierra’s father. He could just be asking or he could be hinting at a gambling problem.
Fuck. Okay . . . hell I got this. Settle down, Aaron. This is a piece of cake.
“Every now and then it’s fun to get together with my father or a few friends and play some Texas Hold ‘Em. Not much of a real gambler though.”
Narrowing his eyes and tilting his head, Paul eyed me up and down. “So what you’re saying is I wouldn’t ever want to bring you to Vegas. ‘Cause I love Vegas.”